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Ciambella, a simple cake fit for New Year's table

BY MARIO BATALI •
Published: December 26, 2012

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A ciambella is a simple ring-shaped bread made of egg, shortening and sugar — basically, an Italian Bundt cake. Ciambelle are often served as an afternoon snack at a bar or caffe. They can be dressed with glazes, syrups or berry compote.

This decadent winter version is inspired by Emilia-Romagna. The fresh chestnuts and chestnut flour bring a smoky flavor and smell that reeks of the Apennines outside of Bologna.

For a decidedly Italian flavor, I soak the currants in grappa, a traditional peasant liqueur. Made from the scraps of what's used to make wine — the skins, seeds, and stems — grappa is fermented and distilled. Now thought by many to be an elegant after-dinner drink, grappa comes from humble beginnings.

This moist and delicious cake has an almost pudding-meets-a-cloud-in-heaven texture, thanks to the chestnut flour and the shredded raw apple.

• Drain the currants, reserving the soaking grappa. Fold the currants, chestnuts and apples into the batter.

• In a separate bowl, beat the egg whites until stiff. Fold the egg whites into the batter, and then pour the batter into the Bundt pan. Place the pan in the oven and bake for 1 hour, or until a toothpick inserted into the cake comes out clean.

• Remove the pan from the oven and set it aside to cool for 10 minutes. Then invert the cake onto a plate.

• In a small bowl, stir together the confectioners' sugar, 4 teaspoons of the reserved soaking grappa and the corn syrup until smooth and glossy. (If it is too thick to spread, add another teaspoon of corn syrup.) Pour the icing over the peak of the cake all around the ring, and allow it to set for 10 minutes.

• Drink a shot of the remaining grappa in the kitchen before serving the cake with a bowl of the mascarpone on the side.